Fredi Gonzalez's Mission: Win!

Manager Fredi Gonzalez and a few of his Florida Marlin players are nowadays on a historic trip visiting our troops stationed in Kuwait and Iraq.

The Marlins are the first Major League Baseball franchise to travel to the Middle East region since the war in Iraq started.

In Gonzalez's mind it is foremost to give support and gratitude to all those defending our nation in this tough and difficult times.

In various interviews, Gonzalez has let known that he have a deep and profound admiration to all those that serves in our military forces.

At this moment, the Cuban born skipper is enjoying his goodwill mission. In less than a month his real mission will begin.

Spring training is around the corner and the Marlins management strongly believes their franchise is a strong 2010 contender. A few preseason publications agree that the Marlins can be a real threat and they are a possible National League wild card team.

Most 2010 preseason predictions give the National League champions Philadelphia Phillies to win once again its Division East pennant.

No matter all their eastern contenders the Phillies, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals made numerous personal adjustments this past winter, Gonzalez believes his almost non-touched core of players they will demonstrate they were not just overachievers last season.

The offensive core is lead once again by All-Star and National League batting champion Hanley Ramirez.

In the lineup, Ramirez once again expects big offensive back-ups by such names as Jorge Cantu, Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and National League Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan.

Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco are expected to be the 1-2 starters and youngster Leo Nuñez in the closer role.

For the first time in many years, the Marlins will present at new named Sun Life Stadium a similar core of players from the year before.

It is the opportunity to skipper Fredi Gonzalez to show he does really have a team that will make proud South Florida again.